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Bike Road Trip With a Motorhome

Nature and sports lovers can enjoy maximum flexibility on their cycling holiday when travelling with a motorhome or campervan. Explore the local area or put your skills to the test on the mountain trails. Stay a night longer when you fall in love with a town or location, or chase the sun to the dryer and warmer trails. We have summarised what you should know about your next cycling holiday in a motorhome, explain what you need to pack for a cycling trip, and give tips on the most beautiful cycling tours worldwide.

5 Tips For a Bike Road Trip With a Motorhome

You don’t have to be a Tour de France pro to go on a cycling holiday with a motorhome. The beauty of travelling with a motorhome on a cycling holiday is that you have easy access to bike routes for every fitness level and types of bikes. Your cycling road trip can be a nice family holiday, but also an adventurous solo camping trip.

The only difficulty is equipment and storing your luggage. Read on below to find out how to store your bike in or on the campervan as well as a few more useful tips for a bicycle road trip with a motorhome.

1.Transporting Your Bike in a Motorhome

When you hire a motorhome with roadsurfer, you can easily add a bicycle rack to your booking, which is the easiest way to transport your bike in a campervan. This frees up space in living area and means that you don’t have to clean your bike every time you get back from the trails and move on to a new location. There are different models depending on the type of motorhome, but the most common distinction is between rear carriers and towbar carriers:

  • Bike carrier: the bicycle carrier is attached to the rear of the vehicle.
  • Trailer hitch carrier: the bicycle carrier is mounted directly on the trailer coupling, which simplifies both assembly and disassembly.

→ Tip: Packing list for your cycling holiday

2. Legal Responsibility

If you go on a road trip with a campervan or motorhome with a bicycle in Europe, you will often come across different laws. For example, it must not cover the brake light on the car. So at best, check the laws and regulations that have to be observed on the chosen route before you set off on your road trip.

biker with helmet next to a campervan

3. Keeping Your Bikes Safe & Secure

Your bikes should be securely mounted to your motorhome and ideally always locked (or stored inside during the night), regardless of whether you are at the campsite or in the wilderness. If you are on the road for a longer time, it is worth investing in a bicycle protector that keeps out moisture and dirt. You should also always cycle with a helmet, whether in the city or on the forest path.

4. Plan Your Road Trip Route and Cycle Tours

Set your priorities. Do you prefer to be at a nice campsite or close to the cycle route? Do you want to cycle as many kilometres as possible or leisurely explore the local area from the campsite? Before you set off on your cycling road trip, make a rough plan of which cycling routes you want to do and then try to find flexible compromises between your plan and your travel mood.

→ Biking Destinations in Europe

→ Biking Destinations in the USA

Insider tip: Want to check out some cycling road trip routes in advance? Here are our tips for the best bike holiday road trip routes in Europe. Please note that you require the roadsurfer spots app to view and save the routes for later:


roadsurfer campervan with a bike rack driving on a small road next to a forest and a river

Germany

East Germany

This beautiful cycle route takes you from Weimar to the fairytale Rakotz Bridge. From your campsites, you can set off on biking trails as well as go canoeing or swimming in the lake.

white motorhome with a bike rack in a vineyard

France

South of France

Start your route with a highlight in the picturesque town of Menton. On your way to Toulouse, you can swim on the banks of the Verdon, spend the night next to a castle, and cycle among the vines.

Camper and bike on a scenic street in front of a green mountain

Italy

Liguria & Tuscany

Enjoy the fantastic view along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea on your way to Bologna! You’ll stay at cosy little Agricampeggios in the middle of nature and can relax by the pool after your long bike tour.

grey campervan with bikes next to a windmill

Spain

Pyrenees & Costa Brava

Explore various National Parks around Barcelona and spend the night surrounded by nature on a farm or in the middle of lavender fields until you reach your destination in Tarragona.

smiling woman campervan bike rack mountainbike

5. Take Care Of Yourself and Your Bike

Always keep a first aid kit goes in the saddle bag. But you should also think about sunscreen and insect repellent, and don’t forget your rain or wind jacket and helmet. Double-check your bike before you set off and make sure all the lights are working and fully charged, test the brakes and whether the chain needs cleaning. Finally, respect your limits. Stretch your legs a little after a strenuous tour, or book a massage in the local town. And most importantly, give yourself and your leg muscles a few days off.

Find the Perfect Camper For Your Cycling Road Trip

You can add a bicycle rack to the following models. For more information, visit our help center.

Campervan

Surfer Suite

VW T6.1 California Ocean

  • 4 seats
  • 4 berth
  • Integrated kitchenette
  • Outdoor shower (cold)
  • Automatic pop-up roof

Campervan

Beach Hostel

VW T6.1 California Beach

  • 5 seats
  • 4+1 berth
  • Extendable kitchen unit
  • Manual pop-up roof

Campervan

Camper Cabin

Ford Nugget

  • 5 seats
  • 4+1 berth
  • Integrated kitchenette
  • Outdoor shower (cold)
  • Manual pop-up roof

Campervan

Camper Cabin Deluxe

Ford Nugget Plus

  • 5 seats
  • 4+1 berth
  • Integrated kitchenette
  • Toilet
  • Outdoor shower (cold)
  • Manual pop-up roof

Sprinter-type campervan

Road House

Various manufacturers

  • 4 seats
  • 4 berth
  • Spacious kitchen area
  • Wet room with shower & toilet
  • Hot water
  • Manual pop-up roof

Semi-integrated motorhome

Cozy Cottage

Various manufacturers

  • 3 seats
  • 2+1 berth
  • Combined kitchen/living space
  • Wet room with shower & toilet
  • Hot water

Sprinter-type campervan

Couple Cottage

Various manufacturers

  • 4 seats
  • 2 berth
  • Spacious kitchen area
  • Wet room with shower & toilet
  • Hot water

Sprinter-type campervan

Family Finca

Various manufacturers

  • 4 seats
  • 2+2 berth
  • Spacious kitchen area
  • Wet room with shower & toilet
  • Hot water

Semi-integrated motorhome

Camper Castle

Various manufacturers

  • 4 seats
  • 2+2 berth
  • Combined kitchen/living space
  • Wet room with shower & toilet
  • Hot water

Semi-integrated motorhome

Van Villa

VW T6.1 Knaus Tourer Van

  • 4 seats
  • 4 berth
  • Combined kitchen/living space
  • Wet room with shower & toilet
  • Hot water

Save 10% On Your Camping Spots With the Campfire Card

Save 10% on all your campsite and pitch bookings via roadsurfer spots app or online all year round with the campfire card for a one-time payment of €14.99. Use your campfire card for your own trips or gift someone a new adventure!

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roadsurfer spots campfire card, 10% discount on campsites